People who care, vote. – Geoff Badenoch

Fifty-two years ago I was a freshman at The University of Montana and voting in my first presidential election. This milestone in my maturing citizenship was life-changing and has never stopped being an essential part of my identity. It is my hope that all UM students who are eligible to vote have registered to vote on November 5, either here in Missoula County if this is where they call home, or absentee in their own county.

The candidates and issues on the ballot will have an impact on your life regardless of the election outcome. As a voter, you are able to research and understand what’s at stake for you and our state and our nation, and vote accordingly. People who care, vote.

People who don’t vote are what? Cynical? Ignorant? Indifferent? Lazy? Fortunately, a university is a great place to get rid of all those attributes. This is the place where political debate and issue advocacy ought to capture everyone’s attention. Elections matter. Your vote matters. Get over whatever it is that is keeping you from voting. Ask for help, there are a lot of folks who want to get you to vote, and will answer your questions.

A good place to start is with the non-partisan League of Women Voters. The League’s webpage has a lot of information about elections and citizenship ( https://my.lwv.org/montana/league-women-voters-missoula ). If you are a self-starter, go to http://www.vote411.org and find information about national and state candidates and issues. You can also check your voter registration status so there are no surprises on Election Day. You can also register to vote there! (If you want to vote by mail, this registration must be completed by October 7).

I look forward to UM students joining me on November 5th in our basic expression of citizenship: having a say in how we are governed.

-Geoff Badenoch